Chime in: What's the best Windows tablet for a non-techie?

iPads are popular Christmas gifts, combining high-quality design with a simplistic iOS-based user experience. But what about Windows tablets?

Surface tablets are gorgeous and powerful, but you typically want to get a keyboard and a stylus to get the most out of them, and even then, not everybody is a creative type who needs the full power of inking. They're also expensive.

For casual tablet-style computing, Windows 10 Mobile would have been an ideal OS for such devices, but alas, we all know what happened there. Windows 10 S is still in its infancy, and ARM-based Windows PCs haven't yet evolved into products that might rival iPads for casual use.

At least while we wait for the near-mythical "Surface Phone" foldable device to emerge from obscurity, what Windows tablets, if any, do you think are worth recommending? Forum user kdk24z wants to know.

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TV, music, movies, and books we're into this week

We're taking it easy this week with some great movies, music, and books.

The new year is just around the corner, and you might have some extra time off to enjoy yourself. In that case, you're probably looking for some great tunes, a quality movie, or a real page turner. Need a suggestion or two? Here's what Team Windows Central is watching.

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What should Microsoft name its rumored folding Surface?

Microsoft device patents and other sources have revealed what we have long suspected: Microsoft appears to be working on a foldable mobile device. But what will it be called if it makes it to market?

Hopeful and former Windows phone users have long enjoyed the Live-tiled Windows phone UI and Microsoft's ecosystem.

Sadly, Windows phones have been a persistent consumer failure. Still, Microsoft's Surface brand defined a category and inspired an industry of OEM support for 2-in-1 PCs and has inspired fans to grasp onto "Surface" as Microsoft's solution to its smartphone woes. Hence, hopeful fans have dubbed Microsoft's elusive mobile device the "Surface Phone." But since the device isn't a phone, that name won't work.

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Why PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG) is so damn addictive

Is PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG) more rewarding or infuriating? Either way, this popular game is about more than winning.

I am terrible at PUBG. Absolutely appalling, both on PC and Xbox. I don't get "chicken dinners," I have the aim of a potato, and more than any other game in 2017, this thing causes me to rage, swear and throw my controller.

So why on earth would I, like millions of others, keep on playing it when frankly, in most games I'd have given up by now and moved on? What is it about PUBG that sucks you back in?

There are a couple of things that I can think of.

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Kodi team details Xbox One alpha launch and limitations

A surprise end of year treat for Kodi fans was the launch of the long-awaited Xbox One version in alpha. Today, the developers have detailed what we can expect.

We knew it was coming, but that it was pushed out now is certainly a surprise. The Kodi team has released its first alpha client of v18 Leia in UWP form to the Xbox One and it's available to download right now for anyone.

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Using Xbox One online: Networking tips, fix lag, improve download speeds, and more

Is an Xbox One download grinding to a halt? Can't connect to your favorite multiplayer game? Here are some networking tips for Xbox One users.

Today's video game consoles are quickly shifting over to online-centric experiences, with digital distribution, multiplayer and content expansion packs being the norm for big budget titles. With this new-found focus, getting the best connectivity hugely enhances your Xbox One experience. Here are some in-depth tips to improve your console's networking setup.

• Reduce Xbox One data use
• Fix slow download speeds over Xbox Live
• Fix multiplayer lag over Xbox Live

Getting an Xbox One online

Before getting underway with improving your console's connectivity, you'll first need to make sure your console is correctly connected. The Xbox One supports both wired and wireless connections, with a relatively streamlined setup process.

Wired connections almost always offer the best speeds and stability, with a direct line to your console. While wireless can still provide adequate download and upload speeds, a wired connection is unmatched, especially over distance. By going wireless, you'll be getting the benefits of convenience, without a physical cable between your router and console.

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Surprise! Leading media center solution Kodi has arrived on Xbox One

Kodi is a popular media center solution for PCs and other devices, and it's finally available on Xbox One.

Kodi began life as Xbox Media Center (XBMC), owing its roots to the original Xbox console. It has evolved a great deal since then, becoming a favorite for cord-cutters and media enthusiasts everywhere.

Kodi appeared on Xbox One today as part of what appears to be a soft-launch or alpha phase (thanks for the tip, Ross!), supporting what appears to be, a full raft of features from the Windows 10 Store version, including all those pesky add-ons everybody except the entertainment industry loves. It also means that Xbox potentially now has TV DVR finally, after being promised and then cancelled by Microsoft previously.

You can grab Kodi on the Xbox app store simply by searching for "Kodi" or by hitting the link below. For a full and comprehensive guide about what it is, how it works, and why you need it in your life, hit the links below. We'll take a more comprehensive look at Kodi on Xbox in the near future.

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